Most people know from experience in a history classroom the fate of Anne Boleyn. She married the divorced king of England, Henry the VIII, and was later beheaded for adultery and witchcraft. Not as many people are familiar with the story of her sister, Mary Boleyn. Philippa Gregory, in her book The Other Boleyn Girl, takes this obscure historical figure and weaves around her a tale of suspense and intrigue.
Mary Boleyn is a girl trapped into following her family’s orders. The ambitious Boleyns see an opportunity for advancement when the king begins flirting with Mary. From that point they do everything they can to get her into the king’s bed. They succeed in their efforts and Mary has two children by the king. However, the king’s interest does not last, and Mary is left behind while her sister, Anne, is pushed forward.
The book was difficult to put down. I eagerly flipped pages, anxious to know what would happen next. Near the end of the book the excitement takes a downward turn. The reader knows the fate of Anne Boleyn so her imprisonment, and trial seem to drag out. That is only a small fault in the book since Mary Boleyn captivates the reader throughout the rest of the story. Gregory has masterfully taken a character that history knows little about and fleshed her out into a person that the reader will relate to and sympathize with.
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